Nigeria Rejects Trump’s Threats and Claims of Religious Intolerance
Nigeria would welcome US assistance in fighting Islamist insurgents, but only if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected, the Nigerian government said Sunday, in response to President Donald Trump’s threat of military action over what he described as the “killing of Christians” in Africa’s most populous nation, Reuters reported.
On Saturday, Trump said he had instructed the US Defense Department to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria, warning that if the government failed to protect Christians, the United States would “stop all aid and assistance” and could intervene “guns-a-blazing” to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
His statement followed the administration’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom – a label previously removed by the Biden administration.
But Nigerian President Bola Tinubu rejected Trump’s claims as false, saying religious freedom and tolerance remain a “core tenet” of the country. Other officials insisted that the West African country is “a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, in concurrence with the rules-based international order,” NBC News wrote.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s office said Nigeria remained open to cooperating with Washington, adding that the government viewed the dispute with the US as an opportunity for dialogue.
Nigeria continues to grapple with a 15-year Islamist insurgency in the northeastern part of the country led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Analysts said that while Christians have been among the victims, most casualties are Muslims, and that violence is often rooted in land, ethnic, and political disputes.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) showed that out of 1,923 insurgent attacks on civilians in Nigeria this year, about 50 of them targeted Christians because of their religion, Reuters added.
Some Nigerian Christians expressed support for US involvement.
Meanwhile, security analysts noted that any US strikes would face significant logistical challenges after Washington withdrew its troops from neighboring Niger in 2024.
Militant groups frequently move between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, which would complicate any foreign intervention without Nigerian cooperation.